Letters to the Editor

UK: Westminster, May 21 2003. Woman had blacked out before crashing into propane tank

A mother-of-five died after being enveloped in freezing liquid propane when she blacked out at the wheel of her car and smashed into a four-ton storage tank.

Wendy Moore, 56, a children's helper from Rickmansworth, suffered horrific cold burns to her legs at the Shell petrol station on Stirling Corner as her white Metro was engulfed in the freezing gas last November, Westminster Coroner's Court heard last week. With only seconds left to try to save her life, firefighter Grant Waldron snatched her from the car, suffering freeze burns in the process.

Other motorists had desperately tried to reach her but feared the evaporating gas could be ignited by a spark at any moment. Mrs Moore was taken to Chelsea & Westminster burns unit by helicopter, but died a month later.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: "The whole thing is a freak accident. She died in very difficult and unpleasant circumstances."

Mrs Moore had been on her way to her mother's house in Burnt Oak when she was believed to have suffered a diabetic seizure or a minor heart attack as she drove around the roundabout. Motorist Jonathan Lawler, from Gospel Oak, described how Mrs Moore's car missed his own by inches before careering into the propane tank. "I looked behind to see the Metro cross the station forecourt, go past a man and a boy washing their car, and collide with a gas tank in a metal cage. "We tried to get the boot open but it was locked and we thought about smashing the back window but we were not sure whether that would make a spark," he said.

UK: Croydon, May 21 2003. Youths play with near Tanker

Youths who pretended to set a fuel tanker alight as its owner filled up at a petrol station in Norbury last week could have caused a catastrophe, police have warned.

The youths, who were sparking a cigarette lighter next to the lorry, smashed the vehicle's owner over the head with a bottle after he pushed them off the forecourt.

The incident started at the Jet garage on London Road, in between Thornton Heath and Norbury, last Tuesday (May 13) at around 7.15pm. After the pair were pushed away from the highly flammable fuel tanker they returned moments later with a bottle, which they used to attack the driver before running off.

The pair's foolish actions have prompted police appeal for witnesses. A Croydon Police spokesman said: "The stupidity of these people is astounding. They repeatedly flicked a cigarette lighter next to a fuel tanker on the forecourt of a petrol station. This was during rush hour on a busy road. If it had caught alight, it would have been catastrophic. " To top it off they then attacked the lorry driver with a bottle after he pushed them away from the vehicle. He is recovering in hospital.

He added the driver's injuries were not life threatening. The victim, a lorry driver in his 20s from Essex, was taken to Mayday Hospital where he was treated for a deep gash to his forehead.

Police have described the suspects, aged in their late teens/early 20s, as a

UK: Cheshire, May 22 2003. Thefts fuel security fears

Staff at Stanlow have raised security fears after the theft of two loaded fuel tankers from the refinery in five weeks.

On April 15 a vehicle containing 36,000 litres of diesel was stolen from the Oil Sites Road depot and found later at a nearby motorway junction minus most of its load. And on May 3 another tanker containing 35,000 litres of diesel was stolen. First the cab, then the trailer were later found in Manchester.

Details of the thefts came in a phone call to the Pioneer from a Stanlow employee, who wished to remain anonymous. He criticised security at the Oil Sites Road depot and described the thefts as”'an ideal opportunity for a terrorist attack.” He said: 'My colleagues and I are very concerned about what has happened. We thought the first incident was an opportunist theft, but when the second one happened the alarm bells started ringing. I don't think these fears are groundless, because the FBI has warned our Government to be aware of al-Queda stealing fuel tankers in this country for terrorism purposes.” He added: “The security is poor at the depot and the full fuel capacity of one of the tankers being used in a terrorist attack would be catastrophic. We are all very concerned about what happened.”

However, Edward Brady, Shell's public affairs manager, was keen to dismiss the terrorism theory and believes the theft of the fuel was for resale purposes. He said: 'We can confirm the theft of two road tankers from our distribution terminal on Oil Sites Road. The first theft occurred on April 15 when a vehicle containing 36,000 litres of diesel was stolen in the early hours of the morning. It was found abandoned under Junction 7 of the M53 several hours later with 2,600 litres of product remaining in the tank.' Mr Brady added: 'The second incident took place on May 3 when a vehicle containing 35,000 litres of diesel was removed from the terminal. The cab was recovered from the Manchester area five days later and, subsequently, the trailer was also found. 'New measures have now been put in place to ensure there are no further crimes of this nature.'

A Cheshire police spokeswoman confirmed both incidents are currently being investigated.

UK: BP’s green fuel plan sparks alarm in London

BP'S bid to open the country's first green hydrogen service station at their Connect Garage on the A127 has been branded dangerous and irresponsible.

They want to store up to 45,000 litres of highly explosive hydrogen in a tank, most of which would be underground at the modified station. The proposals are part of a European project promoting fuel cells that burn clean hydrogen to generate electricity with only water as a waste product.

Nearby Hornchurch residents and councillors expressed their concerns about the petrol giant's plans at last Thursday's meeting of the Regulatory Services Committee, at Romford Town Hall. Mike Dyer said: "This would be the first of its type in the UK and we don't know much about it at all other than we used to make bombs out of this stuff. "There are massive health and safety implications when you consider this is on a garage forecourt. That stretch of road is already very dangerous as a result of the filling station being built. There have been 29 personal injury accidents because you don't see the garage until you are on top of it. "It is being built in a very deep underground vault and that worries me.

Everyone living nearby is opposed to these plans." A number of people expressed concerns about the filling station, saying its entrance was hidden and that it should never have been approved. A council officer explained that it had been passed by a government minister on appeal. He added that the Health and Safety Executive had recommended that no more than 50 deliveries of hydrogen be made a year to the site.

Cllr Steven Kelly was not impressed: "How can the Health and Safety Executive say that? Either it is safe or it isn't. I have grave doubts about us being the pioneers of something like this. My feelings are rather strong on this. I think it must be dangerous." BP has submitted plans for a facility building, underground vault and vessel, access and turning area, fuelling area and canopy.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of a site visit to the filling station before making a decision.

UK: Sainsbury to expand Shell link

create 2,000 jobs with the opening of 100 convenience stores at Shell petrol stations. The move follows a successful trial at six sites in the South East combining Shell's branded forecourts and Sainsbury's local store format.

The pair expect the 100 new outlets to be open within three years, although no details of where they will be situated have been announced. The new stores will feature the usual convenience store items, as well as Shell's car care and lubricant products.

Sainsbury's began trialling the format in October 2000. Chief executive Sir Peter Davis said: "We believe our convenience store offer is the best in the UK and by working with Shell we can bring Sainsbury's quality, convenience shopping into new areas."

UK: Coventry, Nuneaton, June 12 2003. Man saved from underground ‘tomb’

A man was fighting for his life today after being found inside an underground petrol storage tank at the back of his Nuneaton home.

It is thought he may have been unconscious inside the tank for up to 15 hours before being discovered. Steve Sewell’s body temperature had dropped dramatically by the time firefighters prised him out of what threatened to become an underground ‘tomb’. He is now in the intensive care unit at Nuneaton’s George Eliot Hospital, where his condition today was said to be “stable.”

Worried colleagues at Howden’s Joinery, on the Albion Industrial Estate, off Endermere Road, Coventry, where Mr Sewell is the manager, became concerned when he failed to turn up for work yesterday. One of them went to his home in Queens Road, Nuneaton, and found the kitchen door open - but no sign of Mr Sewell. The police were called and they eventually found him in the disused storage tank, which is concealed beneath a trap door in an outbuilding at the back of his home. He had a dustpan and brush, and it is thought he may have been cleaning the inside of the tank.

The tank is thought to be a remnant of when a garage stood near the site of Mr Sewell’s home about 40 years ago. It is believed he was overcome by fumes still lingering in the tank. Fire and rescue crews from Nuneaton and Bedworth, together with the Incident Support Unit from Coleshill, were sent to the house at 10.30am yesterday for the tricky rescue operation. Leading firefighter Andy Wilson said: “He had a dustpan and brush down there so we think he was clearing it out for something. It’s thought he could have been there since 7.30pm the previous night, and just got over-come by the smell of petrol fumes. It was a very tight space and we basically had to manhandle him out.”

Mr Sewell, who is in his mid 30s, was stabilised at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital. He was suffering from hypothermia and his body temperature was down to 26 degrees - about 10 degrees lower than normal.

UK: Environment Agency issues reminder about oil storage deadline

The Environment Agency has issued a reminder that anyone storing oil at industrial or commercial premises should be aware that the next phase of the regulations affecting above ground oil storage comes into force on 1 September 2003.

The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 came into effect in March 2002 since when new oil stores had to meet minimum standards to prevent pollution and provide better protection to the environment. The Regulations will eventually affect all existing oil stores, but oil storage in "high risk areas" (defined as within 10 metres of a watercourse or 50 metres of a well or borehole) must comply by 1 September 2003.

The Regulations apply in England where oil is stored in containers of more than 200 litres outside and above ground at industrial, commercial or institutional sites. The Regulations apply, for example, to factories, shops, offices, hotels, schools, public sector buildings and hospitals. Failure to comply with the Regulations is a criminal offence, which can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £20,000.

All types of oil - with the exception of waste mineral oil - are covered by the Regulations, including petrol, diesel, vegetable, synthetic and mineral oils. Oil is a significant pollutant and is toxic to both plants and animals.

According to the Environment Agency, in 2002 over 14 oil pollution incidents occurred every day in England and Wales due to the poor handling or storage of oil. During 2001, oil pollution accounted for 16% of all pollution incidents in England and Wales, and

UK: Contaminated petrol threatens UK motorists

Contaminated petrol which causes cars to cut out at high speed has been on sale in Runcorn. Motorists in the borough reported major problems after filling up at some of the affected filling stations which had received a delivery of the rogue fuel, which blocks engines and causes cars to lose power.

Derek Owens, of Halton Brook, Runcorn, said his car broke down immediately after filling it with contaminated petrol in Runcorn last week. 'As I drove it home, it broke down three times, and it would take 10 or 15 minutes to get it started again,' he explained. 'A couple of days later, my son was having exactly the same problems, I then spoke to a neighbour and it had also happened to him, that's when we worked out that the petrol was the common denominator.'

Another motorist, Chris McEwan, from Castlefields, said his car cut out as he was driving around a severe bend. “I was driving at normal speed when the car suddenly cut out as though there was a fuel shortage to the engine,” he said. “It had stopped on a busy corner, so when I got out to try and find out what was wrong, it was really dangerous because I had all these cars bombing past me.”

A huge increase in fuel-related breakdowns across Halton and the North West prompted an investigation by Trading Standards and motoring organisations, who found the problem originated from a batch of contaminated petrol. Tests on the 95 octane unleaded petrol found that although the fuel looked normal, it contained fine strands of glass fibre, which was causing the blockages in the fuel delivery system.

The RAC, said affected cars would need to have their fuel lines and tanks drained so that a full examination of the fuel system can be carried out.

UK: Revolutionary petrol engine could replace conventional batteries

Scientists have built the smallest petrol engine - tiny enough to power a watch.

The mini-motor, which runs for two years on a single squirt of lighter fuel, is set to revolutionise world technology. It produces 700 times more energy than a conventional battery despite being less than a centimetre long - not even half an inch. It could be used to operate laptops and mobile phones for months on end - doing away with the need for recharging. Experts believe it could be phasing out batteries in such items within just six years. The engine, minute enough to be balanced on a fingertip, has been produced by engineers at the University of Birmingham. Dr Kyle Jiang, lead investigator from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said: "We are looking at an industrial revolution happening in peoples' pockets. The breakthrough is an enormous step forward. Devices which need re- charging or new batteries are a problem but in six years will be a thing of the past." At present, charging an ordinary battery to deliver one unit of energy involves putting 2,000 units into it. The little engine, because energy is produced locally, is far more effective. One of the main problems faced by engineers who have tried to produce micro motors in the past has been the levels of heat produced. The engines got so hot they burned themselves out and could not be re-used. The Birmingham team overcame this by using heat-resistant materials such as ceramic and silicon carbide. Professor Graham Davies, head of the university's engineering school, said: "We've brought together all the engineering disciplines, both materials, chemical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering."

UK: June 12 2003 Man allegedly showered in petrol sues Esso

A Fetcham man who claims he was sprayed with petrol from a pump at an Ashtead garage is suing Esso. David Fowler, 58, of Ridgelands, said that he feared that the fuel would ignite or explode. A writ has been issued at London's High Court following the incident at Ashtead in October 1998. A spokesman for the petroleum company said on Tuesday: "Mr Fowler commenced an action against us in the county court in 2001 and this has now been moved to the High Court on the request of Esso Petroleum. As this matter is in litigation it is inappropriate for us to comment further."

UK: June 5 2003. Draft transport of dangerous goods regulations pulibshed

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has published a consultation document (CD 188) on proposals for the new Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations including draft legislation. The development of these Regulations has mainly been driven by requirements for Member States to align their domestic legislation with international agreements on the carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail, ie the Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). The new Regulations will also complete the implementation of the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (99/36/EC). The consultation document sets out regulatory proposals to implement European directives relating to the carriage of dangerous goods and contains background to these proposals including in relation to the RID Framework Directive (2003/29/EC) and the ADR Framework Directive (94/55/EC). The paper also describes the changes from UN-based requirements to RID and ADR as well as those relating to limited quantities, load thresholds and packaging issues. Other changes relate to:

• explosives not subject to RID or

ADR

• diesel oil

• small containment systems (bowsers)

• vehicle and wagon marking

• reporting requirements • tanks and pressure receptacles with regard to the RID and ADR; the Transportable Pressure

Equipment Directive (TPED); and old tanks and pressure receptacles • derogations, multilateral agreements and certificates of exemptions • fees and petroleum related issues.

A regulatory impact assessment is also included with the consultation document. The consultation ends on 2 September 2003 and can be accessed at www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd188.htm

UK: Wales - 'Faulty' petrol halts drivers

Motorists across north Wales have been brought to a standstill by what appears to be a batch of faulty petrol.

Scores of car owners have been towed to local garages saying they have broken down after filling up with petrol from supermarket fuel stations.

The problem has been reported across the north of the country from Anglesey and over the English border to Cheshire and the Wirral.

Garages say they have had to empty fuel tanks and give pipes a thorough clean at a cost of up to £200 per customer.

North Wales Recovery Service in Llandudno Junction said they had dealt with up to 30 incidents in the last week.

Owner Silvester Wilson said: "We have taken samples from cars and it seems there is some sort of matter in the fuel that forms a film over the fuel filter. "When left overnight it dries, blocking the filter and stopping fuel from getting to the engine."

Colleen Park, who lives in Pont y Pant near Betws y Coed, was taking an elderly patient on an outing from Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor when her car broke down. "At first I thought someone had spiked the petrol, because of the war," she said. “The car had been catching and juddering over the Ogwen pass on my way to the hospital. After picking up my 78-year-old passenger we headed to Anglesey but on the Britannia Bridge the car jerked then came to a stop. I have kept a sample of the fuel and the damaged filter and will probably put in a claim," she added.

Arwel Edwards from Pandy Motors garage in Tregarth near Bangor has treated four cars which had "died" after filling up at local stations.

He said the contaminated petrol looked and felt the same as normal petrol but did not have the same distinctive smell.

Local authority trading standards officers have received scores of complaints which they are investigating.

John Reynolds from Gwynedd Trading Standards said there was no clear evidence as to the cause of the problem.

He advised motorists who were affected to keep a sample of the faulty petrol if they wished to make a complaint and to contact their local trading standards office.

Common denominator

An AA spokeswoman said they had dealt with more than 90 incidents over the weekend which is a vast increase in the normal number of call-outs they receive. "We are yet to get to the bottom of the problem but fuel seems to be the common denominator for all the cases," she said, adding people should hold on to their receipts when buying fuel and fixing their cars.

A spokesman for Tesco - one of the supermarkets affected - said: "Naturally we are concerned about it. We have commissioned independent tests on the petrol. Those so far have been all clear. We are now testing some cars that have been affected."

Stanlow oil refinery is the biggest fuel distributor to north Wales but a spokesman for owners Shell UK said: "We have carried out an investigation and we are 100% sure it hasn't emanated from Stanlow."

UK: Wales April 23 2003. Petrol contamination: Now it’s Safeway’s turn

Food giant Safeway has become the latest superstore to be caught up in the saga of rogue petrol, which has left drivers across North Wales stranded.

Trading standards say dozens of motorists hit by mystery breakdowns have filled up at its filling station in Denbigh. Last night the company said an expert was dealing with claims from drivers, and denied selling contaminated fuel. A spokesman said each of its petrol stations in North Wales and Chester had been independently tested for petrol contamination and all the results were clear.

Despite six weeks of examination and analysis nobody is any nearer to solving the mystery of the "sludge' that has choked up car filters causing loss of power and breakdown. It has affected scores of drivers from the region who have bought fuel from Tesco, Asda and now Safeway. Yesterday civil servant John Nutley from Denbigh told how Safeway staff refused to acknowledge his complaint after his Honda Concerto broke down on the way to work. The garage repair bill came to more than £200. He sent Safeway a letter of complaint and asked for compensation. "Safeway passed it onto their insurance representatives who sent me a solicitor's letter. It's taken a lot of my time but I think I have all the necessary proof," said Mr Nutley. Denbigh Trading Standards Principal Public Protection Officer, Geoff Price, said: "In our area we have had about a dozen fuel-related breakdowns and the vast majority of motorists said they had bought at Safeway. We have sent samples of the fuel away for analysis - as have all the other Trading Standards offices - and they come back clear. "

The firm that does the analysis is probably the best in the UK. They are the Harley Street of petrol health - and they still cannot find anything wrong".

Denbigh garage owner Mike Lewis said he had repaired five cars in one week. Every owner said they had bought at Safeway. Safeway said it had appointed a specialist consultancy to advise customers.

Scotland: Asda in court over toxic spill

A supermarket giant is facing court action over allegations of a chemical spillage at its flagship Glasgow store.

The Asda branch in Govan was investigated by council health and safety officials over claims that an industrial dishwasher in the customers' restaurant had leaked hazardous chemicals.

Members of staff at the Helen Street store reportedly had to be treated for foot burns following the alleged incident. Now Asda is facing prosecution at Glasgow Sheriff Court under two health and safety acts.

Glasgow City Council submitted a report to the procurator-fiscal after its officials visited the store to investigate the alleged incident. The offences are alleged to have taken place in June 2001.

Former part-time shop assistant Donna Hendry, from Drumoyne, is said to have had to undergo treatment at the Southern General Hospital for foot injuries. Two other female workers were also allegedly hurt. Donna, who was 16 at the time of the alleged incident, stopped working for Asda last August.

Health and safety investigators from the city's environmental protection department were called in to investigate the alleged spillage. Today a city spokeswoman confirmed: "We deemed the appropriate action was to refer the action to the procurator-fiscal's office."

Asda would only confirm that it would be defending the case. Its spokesman added: "The health and safety of all our colleagues is paramount. Staff at every Asda store complete a health and safety training programme."

Sheriff Court officials confirmed a trial date had been set for Tuesday. They said the supermarket was charged under the 1974 Health and Safety at

Work Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Act 1999.

Asda is owned by US retail giant WalMart. Its Govan store opened in 1997 and was the first 24-hour supermarket in Scotland. There are plans to refurbish and expand it.

G-8 heads to push fuel cell progress

Leaders of the Group of Eight major industrialized nations agreed at their summit in Evian, France, to work with the private sector in developing nextgeneration power sources, especially fuel cells.

The G-8 leaders identified during the summit, environmental problems, including greenhouse gas emissions, support work on developing universal standards for fuel cells, and to build the infrastructure the power generation devices will require.

Unlike conventional cars, which run on gasoline or diesel fuel and emit carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, vehicles powered by fuel cells use hydrogen as a fuel and only emit water. Fuel cells generate electricity from a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Sources said the summit will result in agreements among the leaders to loosen restrictions on the establishment of hydrogen supply facilities, and to standardize fuel cell specifications, purity of their hydrogen fuel and methods to measure their efficiency.

Major automakers in Japan, the United States and Europe are currently in a race to develop advanced fuel cell vehicles for mass production.

EURO: Biofuels Directive deadline set as 2004

The Biofuels Directive will soon become law, when it is formally signed by the President of the European Parliament.

Member States will then have until 31 December 2004 to transpose the Directive into national law. The new legislation to promote the use of "green" transport fuels, as alternatives to petrol and diesel, lays down targets for the progressive introduction of biofuels, ie fuels derived from agricultural, forestry and organic waste products, between now and 2010.

These targets will have to be based on benchmarks set by the Directive, ie a 2% market share by December 2005 and a 5.75% market share by December 2010.

Member States must announce by July 2004 the first biofuel targets to be achieved by December 2005.

The European Commission will undertake an evaluation of the implementation of the Directive before the end of 2006 and will then decide whether further legislative proposal are required. The Directive is seen as playing a dual role in improving the security of Europe's energy supplies since biofuels can be produced by European farmers and industry, as well as helping to reduce European greenhouse gas emissions, as agreed in the Kyoto Protocol.

Germany: Re-imaging of German BP petrol stations network starting in Berlin biggest rebranding campaign in Germany’s petrol station history

BP and the affiliate ARAL have started in the city of Berlin the reimaging of 650 petrol stations under the motto 'ARAL comes - BP remains'. The operation is scheduled to be completed before year's end. After the re-imaging is performed, BP will operate under the blue-white brand ARAL. The merged network will consist of 2.600 retail stations reaching a marketshare of nearly 22%. ARAL will therefore continue to be the marketleader in the third most important petrol retailing market in the world. The cost of the reimaging will amount to nearly 50 million Euro and will take 10 to 14 days per station. In order to keep the trademark BP protected. a few stations of the network will continue to operate under the BP image.

UAEand Egypt to set up chain of fuel stations

The UAE and Egypt will form a company to set up a chain of fuel stations in Egypt, it was announced.

The agreement for the Dh300 million company was signed recently in Cairo to establish 69 filling stations across the country, said Abdullah Mohammed Hussein, Egypt Commercial Attache, at a press conference which was held to announce the Egyptian product fair.

Hussein informed that the UAE's investments in Egypt amounted to 1.351 billion Egyptian pounds (around Dh800 million). "There are 101 projects totally owned by UAE businessmen in the country. Of these, 11 projects are in free zone areas. They include industrial, agricultural, tourist, service and finance companies.

France: Shell to sell most French petrol stations

Oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell plans to sell around two thirds of its 950 petrol stations in France over two years due to hard competition from supermarket retailers, is reported. "Our objective is to have no more than 345 service stations by the end of 2005," a newspaper quoted Shell's French retail network director Laurent Sancier. "There is one major reason for this drastic decision: supermarkets have 56 percent of the market and continue to treat petrol as a way of attracting customers by selling it at cost price," he was quoted as saying.

Shell France was not immediately available for comment. Oil firms also blame France's relatively high taxation for choking the domestic petrol market, which is dominated by supermarket groups such as Carrefour and Casino as well as privately owned store chains.

The report comes weeks after French rival TotalFinaElf said it would give Shell seven of its stations in France as part of a cross-border swap in which Total would get 133 stations in Germany from a Shell subsidiary.

Casino, France's second-largest listed retailer, said on April 8 it had agreed to buy and manage the 59 petrol stations owned by Shell that are located on its supermarket sites.

Spain: Shell España to open 37 more petrol stations

Shell Espana, the Spanish branch of UK-Dutch petroleum group Shell, plans to open 37 new petrol stations. Shell, which currently has 320 service stations in Spain, has the fourth largest share of the Spanish market, after Repsol, Cepsa and BP.